Wastewater facility at WHS
The wastewater treatment plant at Wayland High School has been offline since 2019 (only seven years after it was built), requiring sewage to be hauled off site biweekly. The Board of Health discussed a proposed scope of work for engineering firm Tighe & Bond to design a new Title 5-compliant system. Town Engineer Abigail Charest explained initial tasks include percolation tests, site surveys, inspection of the inactive soil absorption system, and evaluating system functionality, groundwater mounding, and compliance with regulations for flows above 2,000 gallons per day.
Tighe & Bond Engineer Dan Roop confirmed that updated groundwater mounding calculations would be completed following review of existing data and coordination with Town Sanitarian Darren MacCaughey. No decision has yet been made on whether to pursue restarting the existing plant, which would require a MassDEP waiver, or to implement the new Title 5 system.
Pool unblocked
As a result of a fence inspection, Director of Public Health Julia Junghanns reported a failure of the community pool’s leaching field due to invasive tree roots blocking the distribution box. The pool temporarily operated as a holding tank system until the Department of Public Works cleared the distribution box. The pool’s cold-weather bubble roof had obscured the invasive vegetation that had grown in the area, which was also removed.
The board discussed sending a formal maintenance reminder letter to the pool operators and possibly schools with aging septic systems. Junghanns noted that school systems such as Loker and Happy Hollow also warrant inspection due to age and sensitive site conditions.
Business permits
The board unanimously approved a variance for Dre Hopkins, an esthetician seeking to offer microblading services at her existing salon.
The board unanimously approved a new $100 tobacco permit for One Energy at 78 Boston Post Rd., maintaining Wayland’s total at 13 permits as Stop & Shop will not renew their permit. Company president Mark Diarbakerly, who signed a long-term lease, plans significant upgrades to the gas station, repair bays and convenience store. Diarbakerly, who opened Fresh Village Convenience stores in Framingham and Natick in 2022, leads a family-owned business based in Marlborough for over 40 years. The board acknowledged the company’s strong compliance record.
Health Department update
Junghanns reported that Wayland will receive funding for another year for a regional contact tracing public health nurse and an epidemiologist, reversing the state’s prior decision.
Wayland plans to join the Vaccines for Children program to support low-income families. There was a brief discussion of evolving CDC guidance on COVID-19 vaccines, funding implications, and recommendations for fall immunization programs.
Junghanns confirmed that the Dudley Pond wastewater study is underway. A regional inspector has been performing work that will be helpful in preparation for the board’s input into the septic system needs around Dudley Pond. Under discussion are possibilities to link the area to the high school wastewater system or locate a wastewater treatment facility in the pond area. More information at tinyurl.com/dudley-WW.
Beit Olam Cemeteries have not responded to the board’s letter regarding green burials. Junghanns speculated they were checking into getting state approval. The current Board of Public Works cemetery regulations require concrete vaults, which take up a lot of space, and she noted that the cemeteries are filling up.
